The Bush Administration last week rejected an Israeli request for military equipment and support amid concerns that Jerusalem was gearing up for a strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, the Israeli media reported on Wednesday.
According to Ha’aretz, the Israeli request was made at the highest levels, but was turned down after American intelligence officials said they believed Israel was in the advanced stages of preparations for an attack on the Islamic Republic.
All of the equipment and support requested would have significantly boosted Israel’s ability to carry out a successful strike on Iran’s main nuclear facilities.
Washington reportedly followed up the refusal by urging Israel not to strike Iran, noting that doing so would undermine American interests in the region, but acknowledged that only Israel could ultimately decide what was best for its security.
Israel responded that it would do whatever necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons should international diplomatic efforts fail.
The US did offer to compensate Israel for the refusing its request by providing the Jewish state with improved defenses against Iranian missiles.